The ancient Chinese civilization is a rich repertoire of various arts. Martial Arts of China is one such exemplary stream which was practised in Ancient China. In it, Tai Chi is a form of moving meditation, that is normally practiced with slow, relaxed and flowing movements. This art is ideal for those seeking gentle, rehabilitative exercises to relieve stress, or to enhance inner power through calmness. It is a non-impact exercise that stresses the importance of grace, balance, and fluidity of motion. Tai Chi is a moving form of meditation where precision movements and controlled breathing are synchronized to enable the practitioner to flow with the direction of energy in and around the body. Tai Chi has beneficial effects similar to those of Western aerobic exercise, minus the stresses and strains. This could account for its recent surge in popularity in the West. In Oriental culture, the correct modern term for Chinese Martial Arts of China would be Wushu.(Kung Fu is an older terminology for the same definition). The Wushu is basically using the body’s own natural movements to work on building the natural Martial Arts Techniques. What makes Wushu so different from other martial arts of China is that it focuses on the entire body’s fitness, not just merely punching and kicking as practised in (Karate and Tai Kwan Do). We have to remember that other Far East martial arts have all originated from Shaolin Kung Fu. They are just variants of the same techniques in Shaolin Kung Fu. There is an old American saying : “It takes three clones to beat the original”. Therefore, why learn the cloned martial arts (like Karate and Tai Kwan Do) while you can just come down to Martial Arts of China School and learn the completely original techniques.
A worthwhile morning destination to perform these arts is Jingshan (Coal Hill) Park, behind the Forbidden City. Not only is it an oasis of flowers and trees, it also boasts a breathtaking view of the Palace from the top of one of Beijing's very few hills, which was constructed from earth that was dug up to make the moat of the Forbidden City. Each morning the park fills with middle-aged and older Chinese who gather in groups to sing the revolutionary songs of their youth, play the traditional two-stringed erhu or practice the slow, graceful movements of tai chi.

Martial Arts of China

byJoanna Shaoqing

The ancient Chinese civilization is a rich repertoire of various arts. Martial Arts of China is one such exemplary stream which was practised in Ancient China. In it, Tai Chi is a form of moving meditation, that is normally practiced with slow, relaxed and flowing movements. This art is ideal for those seeking gentle, rehabilitative exercises to relieve stress, or to enhance inner power through calmness. It is a non-impact exercise that stresses the importance of grace, balance, and fluidity of motion. Tai Chi is a moving form of meditation where precision movements and controlled breathing are synchronized to enable the practitioner to flow with the direction of energy in and around the body. Tai Chi has beneficial effects similar to those of Western aerobic exercise, minus the stresses and strains. This could account for its recent surge in popularity in the West. In Oriental culture, the correct modern term for Chinese Martial Arts of China would be Wushu.(Kung Fu is an older terminology for the same definition). The Wushu is basically using the body’s own natural movements to work on building the natural Martial Arts Techniques. What makes Wushu so different from other martial arts of China is that it focuses on the entire body’s fitness, not just merely punching and kicking as practised in (Karate and Tai Kwan Do). We have to remember that other Far East martial arts have all originated from Shaolin Kung Fu. They are just variants of the same techniques in Shaolin Kung Fu. There is an old American saying : “It takes three clones to beat the original”. Therefore, why learn the cloned martial arts (like Karate and Tai Kwan Do) while you can just come down to Martial Arts of China School and learn the completely original techniques.

A worthwhile morning destination to perform these arts is Jingshan (Coal Hill) Park, behind the Forbidden City. Not only is it an oasis of flowers and trees, it also boasts a breathtaking view of the Palace from the top of one of Beijing's very few hills, which was constructed from earth that was dug up to make the moat of the Forbidden City. Each morning the park fills with middle-aged and older Chinese who gather in groups to sing the revolutionary songs of their youth, play the traditional two-stringed erhu or practice the slow, graceful movements of tai chi.